Q: What are the different support and training options available for a project?

We offer comprehensive support and training for your organization and project. Please review the different support packages and also the geodesign training courses available for you.

Q: Do all projects require GIS data?

No while it is desirable for certain aspects of a geodesign project to have GIS data (e.g. to assess soil quality or terrain), it is not a requirement to have GIS data as far Geodesignhub is concerned.

Q: Is there a step by step guide to prepare data for the project?

Q: How long does it take to setup a project?

The setup time depends on certain decisions that you need to make including if you plan to use GIS data. Generally, one person working one or two days a week can prepare the data in four weeks, sometimes less. If you do not have GIS skills or budget, we have automatic tools to build your dataset and in that case you can still use GIS data prepared by us.

Q: What is the range of scale of the study area in a project?

Geodesignhub has been used to study extremely large (multi county) and very small sites (site planning), so it accommodates any scale. The data considerations are different at these scales.

Q: What is the general structure of a workshop or geodesign study?

Workshop schedule is flexible. We recommend that people spend at the minimum 8-12 hours with the software working on the design. The hours can be scheduled in a number of ways: in the form of a day long workshop, one and half day workshop, two day workshop or more. Sometimes, it is useful to stagger these over a couple of weeks e.g. two hours working together every week over four weeks etc. It depends on who is attending and the nature of the problem. The workshops can be in person or conducted online as well.

All workshops are divided in three phases. In phase 1, there is a initial tutorial, then there is initial diagram drawing. In phase 2, the participants are divided into different teams and they build multiple designs using the diagrams. In phase 3, the participants then negotiate to arrive at design consensus. The third phase aims to reach maximum consensus followed by discussion.

Q: What are the outputs of a Geodesignhub project? Who can use it and how is it used?

All data in a Geodesighub project can be taken out in the form of Shapefiles or GeoJSON, there are plugins to enable export to other formats for use in software like AutoCAD, Rhino and Grasshopper.

A key soft outcome of the process is the negotiated design and development of consensus among the workshop participants. The participants develop a shared understanding and a negotiated, analysis based strategy for intervention, thereby saving time and money in the context of the larger project.

The negotiated designs that can be taken out and further worked on in other software. This is usually done by Architects and planners to do renderings.

The negotiation tools are best suited for co-ordinated strategy development and getting different people on board.

The Shapefiles can be analyzed in GIS software or other environments by Analysts for things like Environmental Impact Assessments etc.

The design can be use used in public presentations to gather feedback, Geodesignhub provides tools for community engagement as well.

In addition, financial analysis can be done on the designs

Q: Are there videos about Geodesign Hub, the method and example projects?

Q: What are the technical requirements to conduct a geodesign study?

A broadband internet connection, a recent (later than 2012) laptop with Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome should suffice. Also if it is a in person workshop, a flexible space with white boards and projector (preferably two) is best.

Q: Where can I get trained to conduct, organize or participate in a workshop?

If you want to experience Geodesign Hub, you can attend a workshop or take our self learning course: Geodesign with Geodesignhub. Usually we are present every year in leading conferences including Geodesign Summit Europe and Digital Landscape Architecture. In addition we conduct introductory webinars every month, you can register your interest on the webinar page.